"Because if you're going to commit to anything in this life, shouldn't it be love?"

I think this book came to me at the perfect time. I'd been in a slump for almost 2 months now and still, as soon as I started this, I was able to devour this book in a day! I love the alternating timeline, it fits really well with the story and keeps the suspense going about what happened in the past but also what is going to happen in the future.

I went in blind with this book (as blind as you can go when the title and the cover make it so that you are at least vaguely aware of what the book is going to be about) and I'm so glad I did! Although I checked later with the Goodreads synopsis, and it doesn't really reveal who the guy is, which I'm glad about, I would still recommend you go in blind because of the way the suspense is set up in the book. I knew who I was rooting for and all that, but I was still on the fence about other parts of the story, which made it all the more exciting for me. The narrator is also kind of unreliable and she admits it outright in the book as well.

This review is kind of all over the place and might not make sense actually if you haven't read the book, so go read it...

Anyway, last thing. I really loved the MC and I could see myself in her and relate to her so much that it felt uncomfortable at times. It was like someone had taken a peek inside my head and written what was there on a page. I'm sure a lot of people, specially in this generation, will relate a lot to her, so I would highly recommend you read it.

4.5 stars

I feel like both of the books i read from this author were just lackluster, but both were cute and fun. I really just couldn’t connect with the main characters and I had a hard time caring about what happened with the story. I do really love the premise though I just wish it was a little more well fleshed out.

DNF at 59%

This was my first Sophie Cousens book and sadly, it just wasn't for me.

The prologue was intriguing, introducing the mystery surrounding what happened on Audrey's wedding day. From there. the story is told throughout different timelines. Initially, the story was engaging to me, until I released I wasn't as interested in some of the timelines as others and a lot of the characters were unlikable.

While the premise the presented in a unique way, it was boring. And I could not root for Audrey to end up with either love interest since there was an element of emotional cheating that felt deceptive and slimy.

This was my first book by Sophie Cousens but I really enjoyed it and would definitely read more. The back and forth timeline was a little confusing for me at times but I got used to it. I thought this was a really good romcom read and one I would definitely recommend to friends. This was definitely not a spicy romance book, but overall a very enjoyable read.

This is my third book by this author and this is my favorite book so far! I loved everything about this book. It gripped me from the very beginning and I didn’t want to put it down! The story follows Audrey’s life of ups and downs and centers around her wedding day. She is about to marry Josh, but Fred her “what if” guy shows up as her sister in laws date! The premise of this book is so interesting and I’m so excited I was able to get an early copy! I absolutely loved the way the timeline alternates between past and present. It kept the story interesting and kept me guessing what was going to happen. I enjoyed reading about the side characters and I was laughing at some parts. Although it’s romance and cute it also covered important topics in a sensitive way. Overall, I recommend this book! And if you have read This Time Next Year or Just Haven’t Met You Yet, you’ll love this book!

3.5 stars - I ended up really invested in this book, but man the main character Audrey really pissed me off the entire time 😂. A bit of a twist on traditional romcom, and frustrating but realistic. Explores mother daughter relationships, friendships, the idea of fate, and all the nerves that come on your wedding day. I feel like if this were a movie the entire time I’d be screaming at the screen “what? Why!? Noooo stoppppp!”

Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc to review honestly.

Absolutely loved it! Loved the characters, the pacing, the dialogue, and the story. The timeline jumping around was a little tricky but well done and didn’t have trouble following it. I was so invested in the characters and what would happen and how. Would definitely recommend!

What did I just read 😅

And I mean that in the best way! What a rollercoaster! I could barely keep up to be honest 😅 I have loved Sophie’s other books so reading this one was an absolute treat.

What I loved:
💗 the relationship building was so normal and the pace was normal. I think there’s not enough of that in romance books and I really appreciated it.
💗 the funny day of wedding fiascos 😂 I mean could it get any worse??
💗 the best friendship with Clara made my heart warm and grateful for my friends

What I didn’t love:
📚 the family drama - this is a purely personal opinion, I think it helps make the story more dramatic but I think it just wasn’t for me
📚 her trauma - kind of triggering and really sad and it just made me so sad!
📚 the back and forth had my head spinning and I could barely keep it straight.

Overall though I really enjoyed it, Sophie is a master of her trade and contemporary romance fans should definitely add this to their TBR!

4.3 | YA

"𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵, 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘪 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵-𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘪 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘔𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘥.”

This is the first book I've read from the author and it did not disappoint. The characters are well developed especially the FMC. There were emotional parts and also pretty funny moments which i loved! Its not just a romance but full of life lessons and fun facts about the universe. Love the dual-timeline, a lot of surprises every chapter. Also, I was rooting for Josh so much because i feel like Audrey is making a huge mistake. I love that everything sorted out before the real “I Do”.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for gifting me this book for my honest review

What would you do if your ex showed up on your wedding day? This book beautiful navigates the question. Well written love story. Loved the different time lines and slowly discovering what happened in the past and the present at the same time. Would definitely recommend.

Our girl Audrey finds herself in a bit of a pickle when the day before her wedding, a blast from the past shows up. Will she get her happily ever after with the man she was meant to marry? Or will this surprise suitor sweep her off her feet?

This book was enjoyable! I definitely liked getting to see Audrey's internal struggles of what to do when literally EVERYTHING seemed to be going wrong. The various timelines that were told throughout the story helped us to see the different points that Audrey was at in her life not only with this "one that might have gotten away", but with the dynamic with her mother as well.

I was a big fan of the switching timelines at first, but as I continued reading, it started to get a bit overwhelming. Don't get me wrong, I loved being able to see her develop as the person that she was in the present through these various times in her life. It did (for me though) get to a point where I was starting to get confused as to when the various times were happening. I started to not be able to keep track of how old she was, who she had met, who her mother was with, unless it was explicitly stated. Now obviously, this is a me problem, and I'm sure that other readers are able to balance this a lot better than I was.

I'm also not going to lie, as I was reading I kind of hoped that she would end up single. There were so many things that happened in Audrey's life where I wanted her to just take a second and figure out her issues and difficulties in life without having to think about someone else. I won't spoil how the book turned out, but this was definitely something that I felt throughout. (Not to mention the fact that I didn't feel the strongest chemistry between both male characters are her).

Overall though, this was a fun read. It was definitely easy to get through, and it was fun to see all of the characters play off one another.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin House Putnam for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What if, what if, what if.......

Twenty-two year old Audrey has the meet cute of all meet cutes with Fred. The connection is instant. The electricity between them is undeniable. Both believe the other to be their soulmate. They spend one adventurous day together. A day Audrey will never forget. When they agree to meet the next day imagine Audrey's disappointment when Fred never arrives and after waiting three long hours she returns home in tears.

Two years later and Audrey meets Josh her roommates good friend. He's rather forgettable. In fact, the first several occasions they meet she can't even remember his name. Then one night she notices Josh. Really notices him. His dreamy brown eyes, his wide shoulders, his calm demeanor. The exact opposite of every guy she has ever hooked up with. She doesn't do nice guys and Josh is definitely the epitome of a nice guy.

Fast forward four years and Audrey and Josh are engaged to be married. She's nervous but doesn't everyone get wedding jitters. Her anxiety is made worse when Josh's sister arrives for the rehearsal dinner with her plus one: Fred.

Is this a sign? An omen? That she and Josh shouldn't be together. Is Fred truly her soulmate?

Who will Audrey choose: Dependable Josh or flights of fancy Fred?

Oh man this book had my stomach in knots and that's because I loved both Josh and Fred and I was in such a conundrum in who she should choose. The supporting cast was also wonderful. Her best friend Clara, her mom Vivian, her nactor (nanny / actor, long story) Hillary, Josh's sister Miranda were all superb. I was 100% invested in the outcome from the very first page. Toward the end I even got teary eyed. I won't tell you who she chose but I will say it is the one I wanted her to be with in the end. Heart eyes for days...😍😍😍

My first Sophie Cousens but certainly not my last. Highly recommend to all you rom-com lovers out there! 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for my complimentary copy.

I went into this book thinking I knew how it would turn out. I love Sophie Cousens and yet I forgot how she can take a trope and spin it in a way I can't imagine. That's how I feel after reading Before I Do. It was so much more than I was expecting in the best possible way. I'm not going to say more because I want everyone to experience it the way I did. I loved this book so much and I need her to write a lot more!

Sophie Cousens never disappoints me. Audrey is about to get married to Josh, but when she gets to the rehearsal dinner, she finds Fred, who she once had a magical day with 6 years ago and it causes her to question everything about her relationship. This story goes back and forth between the countdown to the wedding, and flashbacks at different points: Her day with Fred, her childhood, meeting and dating Josh. I thought this was such a cute story and really had no idea where the wedding day was going to go. There were plenty of mishaps and I can see how on the day of your wedding they would be horrible, in hindsight, they are hilarious. Overall, such a cute read and I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this one early!

I LOVED this book! This book is about Audrey who is about to get married to Josh when Fred (the one who got away) shows up as Josh's sisters date!!!! She has no idea if this is fate telling her she is marrying the wrong guy or not. She doesn't want to end up like her mom who never found her true love. This was an emotional story about fate and the choices we make. I was sucked in until the very end! Five stars!!

There is always something magical about a Sophie Cousens novel, but Before I Do was something special even for her. The writing in it just had so much heart - it was an absolute joy to read, even at the parts that were hard to witness (secondhand embarrassment is real, especially where awkward musical numbers are involved).

Audrey is constantly at odds with her past and future but it really comes to a head on her wedding day. It doesn’t help that dead bats fall from the sky, the toy bride jumps off the wedding cake, and oh yeah… her mystery almost soulmate shows up as someone else’s date. Told in flash backs between the past and the current timeline of the wedding, the narrative of her story had me instantly enthralled. I can’t wait for this one to come out so I can push all my friends to read it. I need to talk about it with someone!

Thanks to Netgalley and penguin for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a real standout for me, it felt very hallmarky but hit most of the notes I look for in contemporary romances

I'll start off this review by saying that I got an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I must say I am so happy that they approved me to read it.


When I first read the synopsis of the book I thought I knew for sure how it was going to play out but boy am I happy that I was wrong. My midway through the book my heart was breaking thinking that it was still going to turn out that way.

I love the different timelines of the story when it came to how the past was affecting Audrey and Josh in the present.

Overall, I am adding this as one of the few 5 stars I have read this year.

I always love Sophie Cousens' work, but this one was especially lovely. I found the heroine's journey both relatable and surprising, and the ending kept me guessing.

This was a very cute, refreshing romance book. I was worried going in that it sounded a bit contrived - woman is getting married but her long lost love shows up to stop the wedding - but it ended up being a really fun take. I loved the subversion of certain romance tropes, especially when it mentioned examples from well-known rom coms (you have no idea how excited I get over a Wedding Singer reference!) I also really liked how character-driven this was. There were a lot of characters, but everyone felt very fleshed out and realistically flawed, and their interactions carried the story. Overall this was a very enjoyable read!